Fecal Occult Blood Test Health Article

Negative results

Alternatively, a negative result (meaning no blood was detected) does not guarantee the absence of colon cancer, which may bleed only occasionally or not at all. (Only 50% of colon cancers are FOBT-positive.)

Conclusions

Screening using the FOBT has been demonstrated to reduce colorectal cancer. However, because only half of colorectal cancers are FOBT-positive, FOBT must be combined with regular screening endoscopy to increase the detection of pre-malignant colorectal polyps and cancers. Since, through FOBT, cancer may be detected early, the benefits of possible early detection must be considered along with the likelihood of complications and costs for additional studies.

BOOKS

DeVita, Vincent, Samuel Hellman, and Steven Rosenburg. Cancer:Principles and Practices of Oncology. PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

Yamada, Tadetaka, ed. Textbook of Gastroenterology Volumes One and Two. PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

PERIODICALS

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Trends in Screening for Colorectal Cancer—United States, 1997 and 1999." Journal of the American Medical Association 28 (March 2001):12.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Cancer Society. (800) ACS-2345. <http://www.cancer.org>.

National Cancer Institute (NCI). (800) 422-6237. <http://rex.nci.nih.gov>.

OTHER

"Colorectal Cancer Screening." WebMD. <http://my.webmd.com/content/article/2955.291>.

"Fecal Occult Bood Test." Virtual Health Fair. 10 July 2001 <http://vfair.com/resources/lab/fecal.htm>.

"Colon and Rectum Cancer." American Cancer Society. 10 July 2001 <http://www.cancer.org>.

Jill S. Lasker

Cheryl Branche, M.D.

KEY TERMS

Occult—Not visible or easily detected.